Assembly Procedure
WARNING: This page is about a different car, the 2008 Cadillac CTS. However, it is still accessible from the selected car via links, so may be relevant.
- Position the cage so the larger radius corners of the cage windows are up.
- Position the inner race 90 degrees to the centerline of the cage.
- Begin to insert the inner race up through the bottom of the cage.
- Align a land of the inner race to a window of the cage.
- Insert the inner race land into the cage window.
- Rotate the remainder of the inner race into the cage.
- Rotate the inner race within the cage so that the grooved surface of the inner race is facing up.
- Align the inner race ball tracks with the cage windows.
- Wrap a shop towel around the joint outer race splined shaft.
- Place the outer race vertically in a bench vise.
- Position the cage and inner race 90 degrees to the centerline of the outer race.
- Align 2 cage windows at 0 and 180 degrees, within the outer race.
Rotate the inner race and cage assembly downward in the vertical plane.
- Position the cage and inner race so they are level.
- Align the cage windows and inner race ball tracks with the outer race ball tracks.
- Position a cage window and inner race ball track for ball installation.
- Press down on the cage following one of the outer race ball tracks. The opposing cage window and inner race ball track will be accessible for ball installation.
- After installing the first ball, use a brass drift and a hammer to tap gently on the cage, in order to drive the cage and inner race down completely.
- Insert a ball through the cage window onto the inner race ball track.
Tap the ball lightly with a plastic tipped hammer.
- Position the cage and inner race so they are level.
- Repeat steps 17-19 in the installation sequence as shown, until all of the balls are installed.
- Insert approximately 60 percent of the grease from the service kit into the outer joint.
- Spread 60 percent of the grease onto the ball tracks, the balls, the cage and the inner race.
- Spread the remainder of the grease into the bottom of the outer race.
- Remove the outer joint from the bench vise.
- Wrap a shop towel around the axle shaft.
- Place the wheel drive shaft horizontally in a bench vise.
- Install a new small seal retaining clamp onto the axle shaft.
- Install the seal onto the axle shaft.
- Install a new retaining ring to the axle shaft.
- Position the outer joint horizontally.
- Engage the inner race splines onto the axle shaft splines.
- Compress the axle shaft retaining ring.
- Press the end of the retaining ring, using a flat-bladed tool, into the axle shaft groove while firmly pressing the outer joint onto the axle shaft.
- Continue to work around the retaining ring, until it is compressed.
- Install the outer joint to the axle shaft.
- Position a wood block over the end of the outer joint threaded shaft.
- Use a hammer to drive the outer joint onto the shaft.
- Continue to drive the outer joint until the outer joint seats fully onto the axle shaft.
- Insert the remaining grease from the service kit into the seal.
- Position the small seal retaining clamp (2) into the boot groove.
- Position the boot and small retaining clamp to the axle shaft boot groove (3) as shown.
- Using the J 42572
, crimp the small seal retaining clamp. See Special Tools .
Tighten: Tighten the small seal clamp until there is a gap of 1 mm (0.039 in).
- Position the large seal retaining clamp (1) onto the seal (2).
- Position the seal and large retaining clamp to the joint outer race (3) as shown.
- Inspect the boot for proper shape.
If the boot is not shaped correctly, equalize the pressure in the boot by lifting the boot edge slightly and shape the properly by hand.
- Inspect the boot for damage.
If the boot has been cut or punctured during assembly, you must discard and replace the boot.
- Using the J 42572
, crimp the large seal retaining clamp. See Special Tools .
Tighten: Tighten the large seal clamp until there is a gap of 1 mm (0.039 in).
The clamping hold time must be no less than 2 seconds.
- Inspect the outer joint for smooth operation. This will also distribute the grease within the joint.
- Hold the wheel drive shaft vertically, with the outer joint at the bottom.
- Rotate the wheel drive shaft 4 or 5 times in a circular motion.
IMPORTANT:
Ensure that the inner race is fully assembled into the cage.
IMPORTANT:
The inner race ring groove must be positioned down.
IMPORTANT:
No gap should exist between the ball and the inner race ball track.
IMPORTANT:
The ball installation sequence must be followed as shown.
IMPORTANT:
The axle shaft and inner race must be fully seated to each other.
NOTE:
Refer to Fastener Notice
.
IMPORTANT:
The seal retaining clamp must not be over-tightened or under-tightened.
IMPORTANT:
The seal must not be dimpled, stretched or otherwise deformed.
IMPORTANT:
The seal retaining clamp must not be over-tightened or under-tightened.